Saturday, June 25, 2016

Top summer pet health ailments from Petplan

From vacations to barbeques and outdoor adventures, summertime
means no worries for pets and pet parents — or so it seems. According to
Petplan pet insurance, pets are 6% more likely to visit the vet unexpectedly
during the summer compared to the rest of the year.

Petplan encourages pet parents to be especially mindful of
these top reasons pets visit the vet in the summer:

--The heat is on: When the sun is high and temperatures
climb, watch out for heat-related conditions like heat stroke, dehydration and
heat rash – especially in brachycephalic breeds like Boxers, Bulldogs and Pugs.
These snub-nosed pups are twice as likely to visit the vet for heat-related
conditions than non-brachycephalic breeds. Signs of trouble include heavy
panting, lethargy and a staggering gait. When the heat is on, be sure pets have
plenty of fresh water and shade, and never leave them in a parked car.

--Beware the buzz: Painful encounters are bound to buzz
pets when we share the outdoors with pesky, pointy insects. Pets are twice as
likely to suffer an insect sting during the summer compared to the rest of the
year, and bees are to blame for 25% of these incidents. Stings can cause mild
symptoms like redness and swelling, as well as more serious reactions like
anaphylaxis (allergic shock), which requires immediate veterinary attention.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing and vomiting.

--Skin deep: Pay special attention to your best friend’s
skin, because the risk of skin infection is 16% higher during summer months.
Common causes include allergies, extra moisture from swimming or humidity and
pests like fleas. Look for itchy, irritated skin or lesions, and keep an eye
out for extra scratching or licking that could indicate an issue.

--Grapes of wrath: Refreshing as they may be, keep
grapes (and raisins!) out of paws’ reach – vet visits for grape and raisin
toxicity are 40% higher during the summer. The average cost to treat grape and
raisin poisoning is $756, but one Petplan-protected pup faced a hair-raising
vet bill of $3,035! These fruits can cause acute kidney failure if ingested,
and signs include vomiting, increased thirst and diarrhea. Call the vet right
away if you suspect your four-legged vacuum swiped up a grape or anything
grape-related, such as wine or oatmeal raisin cookies.

--Gobbling cobs: Corn on the cob is a barbeque staple,
and some pets try to take this side to-go. Corn cob ingestions are seven times
more likely in the summer than the off-season, with 70% of all corn cob
ingestions occurring between June and August. Corn cobs can get lodged in a dog’s
intestines or stomach if eaten, which sometimes requires surgery to remove it.
Clear plates at the end of dinner and keep trash bags contained so they don’t
tempt the resident chow hound.

For protection against the unexpected over the summer (and
year-round!), visit www.petplan.com to learn more about Petplan pet insurance.

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About Me

Editor, pack leader and pooper-scooper of http://njdogblog.com, @njdogblog (Twitter) and @njdogblog (Instagram). Former Record/Herald News garden and radio columnist; listings editor; William Paterson University professor and advisor; notary public; and Universal Life minister.